As Executive Director of Alumni Services, Dr. Greg Hatteberg has presented numerous awards to graduates of Dallas Theological Seminary. During chapel at DTS on October 13, however, Hatteberg was surprised with a distinguished service award from his own alma mater, Moody Bible Institute.

“We take time as an alumni association to celebrate and to thank those among our alumni who have gone on in life and ministry and have modeled well for the rest of us how it’s done,” said Jeff Bope, executive director of the Moody Alumni Association. “This morning we have the joy of honoring a Moody alumnus for faithful service to Christ.”

Hatteberg graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Moody in 1980 and later completed master of theology (1992) and doctor of ministry (2014) degrees at DTS. At Moody and at DTS, he has worked in recruitment, advancement, placement, admissions, and alumni offices. A licensed tour guide for Israel, Hatteberg has led classes and tour groups and is co-author of The Christian Traveler’s Guide to the Holy Land. But the nomination letters in support of Hatteberg’s distinguished alumni award focused on the ways people have seen him exemplify the love of Christ to those around him—especially his devoted care of his late wife, Lisa, during a long struggle with multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Charles Dyer, former DTS professor and currently professor-at-large of Bible at Moody Bible Institute, remembered Hatteberg, on a tour of Israel, carrying Lisa on his back up to Mt. Arbel so that she could enjoy the view of the Sea of Galilee. “He is one of the most godly men I have ever known,” wrote Dyer. “His incredible wisdom is wrapped in a mantle of genuine humility.”

The presidents of both Moody and DTS expressed their appreciation of Hatteberg’s example. “There are so many faithful, Jesus-loving people who are finishing their race well, and we seldom acknowledge them,” said Dr. Mark Jobe, president of Moody Bible Institute. Jobe was the guest speaker in chapel and helped celebrate Hatteberg’s award.

“When I first heard you were going to receive this award today,” DTS president Dr. Mark Yarbrough said to Hatteberg, “I thought to myself, ‘There is nobody better to receive this than Greg Hatteberg.’ It has been our privilege to be able to see your love, your service, your commitment, and your faithfulness to those that the Lord entrusts to you. We have seen you live it out.”

“Oh, dear,” Hatteberg joked, with characteristic humility, as he accepted the award. “I’m used to being on the other end, giving distinguished service awards to our alumni.”

Located in Chicago, Illinois, Moody Bible Institute was founded by evangelist D. L. Moody in 1886. The school’s mission is “to proclaim the gospel, and equip people to be biblically grounded, practically trained, and to engage the world through gospel-centered living.” The Moody Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes “the achievements and service of Moody alumni who exemplify faithfulness to Christ, perseverance in service, and contribution to advance the cause of Christ around the world.”

About the Contributors

Neil R. Coulter

Neil R. Coulter

Neil R. Coulter completed degrees in music performance and ethnomusicology from Wheaton College and Kent State University. He and his family lived in Papua New Guinea for twelve years, where Neil served as an ethnomusicology and arts consultant for Wycliffe Bible Translators. In 2015, he helped design and launch the PhD in World Arts at Dallas International University. He teaches doctoral courses in theory and ethnography at DIU’s Center for Excellence in World Arts. At DTS, he teaches about art, literature, film, and theology, and he is senior writer and editor of DTS Magazine. Neil is married to Joyce, and they have three sons.